Research project

Evaluation of Abortion Restrictions Project

Since 2010, there has been a sharp rise in the number of state-level restrictions targeting abortion care. Little research has been done to evaluate the effect of these newer restrictions on women.

ANSIRH's Evaluation of Restrictions Project aims to examine the effects on women of state-level abortion restrictions and to identify strategies to mitigate the negative impacts. The project started in 2013 and has so far conducted research in ten states and evaluated the effects of a variety of restrictions.

Several states passed laws requiring abortion providers to obtain hospital admitting privileges. This study explores how obtaining admitting privileges influenced how patient care was managed between abortion facilities and hospitals using retrospective patient data from three states where admitting privilege laws were passed within the last five years.

Two related studies examining the effects of Georgia's later abortion ban that partially went into effect in 2013, and fully went into effect in 2016 and has reduced the availability of abortion care starting at 22 weeks LMP (after last menstrual period).

An analysis of state-reported data examining the distance women in Louisiana would have to travel for an abortion if Louisiana's 2014 law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a local hospital went into effect.

An examination of the effects of Ohio's 2011 law mandating use of the FDA-approved protocol for medication abortion rather than the evidence-based regimen used elsewhere, and of the 2013 law requiring all abortion facilities to have transfer agreements with private hospitals.

In July 2015, changes to the Tennessee constitution opened the door for multiple abortion restrictions that had previously been prohibited. By studying Tennessee as abortion becomes increasingly restricted, we hope to elucidate the cumulative effect of many restrictions on women’s access and experiences with abortion. Since Tennessee has historically served as a regional access point to abortion, this study will also examine the impact of restrictions on women seeking care who are both residents and non-residents of the state.

Utah’s 72-hour waiting period, which was first implemented by Utah in 2012, continues to be introduced and passed by legislators in states across the country. This study examines how longer waiting periods and two-visit requirements affect women seeking abortion. It also looks at decision making and state-mandated information.

In 2013, Wisconsin began to require abortion providers to display and describe the ultrasound image prior to a woman’s abortion procedure. While other studies have examined the effects of ultrasound viewing on women seeking abortion, this study is the first to examine the effects of making such viewing mandatory.